Fracking town halls to be held throughout the year

Organizers behind a recent West Bloomfield town hall forum on oil drilling and hydraulic fracturing (fracking) are planning a future session in early April in the southeastern portion of Oakland County.

No date has yet been set, said Craig Covey, Oakland County Water Resources special assistant.The town hall was the idea of new Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash.

Fracking is the controversial method used by drillers to capture oil or natural gas underground. Fracking injects pressurized fluids into the ground to extract oil and natural gas.

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Critics worry about the environmental impact, particularly on the underground water aquifer. West Bloomfield recently extended its moratorium on drilling and fracking.

Most of the 150 people in attendance spoke out against drilling and fracking in the township, said attendees.

Covey said people from White Lake, Waterford, Holly, Addison Township and Ferndale attended.

Michele Economou Ureste, township supervisor, spoke during the gathering, noting that West Bloomfield “became a pioneer last August by approving a six-month moratorium resolution on oil and natural gas drilling and hydraulic fracturing within the township — and at the Feb. 11 board meeting, trustees unanimously approved a one-year extension of the moratorium.

“The extension was needed to gain more time to strengthen the floodway, floodplain, watercourse and wetland protection ordinance in order to limit the extraction of surface waters for well drilling operations, as well as the discharge of drilling materials to surface waters or wetland areas.”

Ureste stressed the township works to protect its “wetlands, lakes, streams, woodlands, parks and traditional drainage systems that provide valuable storage for runoff and for wildlife habitats.”

Hal Fitch, director of Office of Oil, Gas and Minerals of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, said there was a “tremendous amount of misinformation” at the event.

“It was a chance to vent and bash the department with little information they could substantiate,” said Fitch.“Some were listening to the facts but a lot of the crowd was driven by emotions.”

Fitch said the state has an “extremely safe record” and no incidents of water contamination. “I’m not saying there haven’t been leaks and spills but it hasn’t been associated with hydraulic fracturing,” he said.

Teri Weingarden, West Bloomfield Township treasurer, attended the meeting and said she was concerned that fracking could endanger lakes, wetlands and even the drinking water in home wells.

“I want to ensure ordinances are in place that protect the natural features that make West Bloomfield a unique and beautiful place to live,” she said.